JP2003154028A - Method and apparatus for determining exercising strength, method and apparatus for controlling exercising load, and exercising apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for exercising strength, a method and apparatus for controlling exercising load, and an exercising apparatus which can determine the exercising strength suitable for exercising persons in a shorter period of time and moreover, allows smooth movement thereof for training after the determination of the exercising strength suitable for the exercising persons. SOLUTION: Ramp load is applied to exercising persons to calculate an average value of fluctuation power: PR(n)-RR(n-1)}<2> per specified time of period at intervals of heart beats of the exercising persons as measured during the exercising at a specified interval. When the power flactal at intervals of heat beats converges down below a specified value set corresponding to the exercising strength before reach the optimum exercising strength, changing patterns before the reaching of the specified value are expollated to estimate changes in the flactal power at the intervals of heat beats below the specified value to calculate the exercising strength suitable for the exercising persons. Moreover, it may be possible that the exercising load is increased until the optimum exercising strength is reached to be transferred to training.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining an exercise intensity suitable for an exerciser, a method and an apparatus for controlling an exercise load so as to obtain an exercise intensity suitable for an exerciser, and an exercise with such an exercise load. The exercise equipment that can be.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the following methods have been used to determine the intensity of exercise.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-38051, the product of the systolic blood pressure value and the heart rate (double product value) is continuously calculated, and the rate of increase of the double product value changes as the load increases. There is disclosed a method of determining the exercise intensity from a point (a bending point on a line graph) at which a sudden rise starts.

Further, a method of estimating the exercise level of an exerciser based on fluctuations in heartbeat intervals during exercise has also been proposed. Here, when calculating the entropy of the fluctuation of the heartbeat interval to determine the exercise level, the exercise level is determined from the minimum point of the entropy, and when calculating the power of the fluctuation of the heartbeat interval to determine the exercise level, the power of The exercise level is determined from the convergence point of the change characteristics.

[0005]

However, in the prior art as described above, in order to find the bending point or the convergence point of the measured parameter, it is necessary to exercise to a level higher than the optimum strength for the individual. Therefore, there is a problem that the time required to determine the exercise intensity becomes long. Further, when the training with the optimal exercise intensity is subsequently performed after the determination of the exercise intensity, there is a problem that the training needs to be performed while leaving fatigue in the early stage of the training immediately after the determination of the exercise intensity.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the prior art, and its object is to determine an exercise intensity suitable for an exerciser in a shorter time. When determining the exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser, when performing subsequent training, a method and apparatus for determining the exercise intensity that can smoothly shift to training without giving an excessive burden to the exerciser, and such exercise intensity A method and an apparatus for controlling an exercise load so as to achieve the above, and an exercise machine capable of exercising with such an exercise load.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention obtains a physiological index indicating the physiological condition of an exerciser during exercise load, and based on the physiological index for the change in exercise load, A method of determining an exercise intensity suitable for an exerciser, wherein the exerciser by extrapolating a change pattern thereafter from a change in the physiological index before the exercise intensity of the exerciser reaches an appropriate exercise intensity. This is an exercise intensity determination method for determining an appropriate exercise intensity.

Here, the physiological index may be one that can be detected by a detecting means from an exerciser, or may be an index obtained by performing various information processing on the detected index. That is, the physiological index includes not only physiological signals such as heartbeat and pulse but also indexes obtained by performing information processing on these physiological signals.

As the physiological index, for example, a value indicating the magnitude of fluctuation of the heartbeat fluctuation interval obtained from the electrocardiographic signal can be adopted.

The fluctuation power of the heartbeat interval is a value indicating the magnitude of the fluctuation of the heartbeat fluctuation interval obtained from the electrocardiographic signal.

Further, as a value indicating the magnitude of fluctuation of the heartbeat fluctuation interval obtained from the electrocardiographic signal, there is power in the high frequency region of the heartbeat fluctuation spectrum.

Further, the present invention is a method of controlling an exercise load for controlling an exercise load applied to an exerciser, wherein a physiological index indicating a physiological state of the exerciser at the time of exercise load is acquired,
Determine the exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser by extrapolating the subsequent change pattern from the change of the physiological index before the exercise intensity of the exerciser corresponding to the exercise load change reaches an appropriate exercise intensity, A method for controlling an exercise load, wherein an exercise load applied to an exerciser is changed to an exercise load in which the exercise intensity of the exerciser becomes the exercise intensity suitable for the determined exerciser.

In order to determine the exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser, a gradually increasing exercise load can be given.

Further, according to the present invention, a physiological index acquisition means for acquiring a physiological index indicating a physiological state of an exerciser during an exercise load, and an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser based on the physiological index for a change in the exercise load. An exercise intensity determination device comprising exercise intensity determination means for determining, wherein the exercise intensity determination means determines a change pattern from a change in the physiological index before the exercise intensity of the exerciser reaches an appropriate exercise intensity. An exercise intensity determination device having a function of determining an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser by extrapolation.

As the physiological index, for example, a value indicating the magnitude of fluctuation of the heartbeat fluctuation interval obtained from the electrocardiographic signal can be adopted.

The fluctuation power of the heartbeat interval is a value indicating the magnitude of the fluctuation of the heartbeat fluctuation interval obtained from the electrocardiographic signal.

The value indicating the magnitude of fluctuation in the heartbeat fluctuation interval obtained from the electrocardiographic signal is the power in the high frequency region of the heartbeat fluctuation spectrum.

It is preferable that the physiological index acquiring means is a means for noninvasively acquiring the physiological index from the exerciser.

Further, the present invention is an exercise load control device for controlling an exercise load applied to an exerciser, and a physiological index obtaining means for obtaining a physiological index indicating a physiological state of the exerciser at the time of exercise load, An exercise intensity determination unit that determines an exercise intensity that determines an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser based on the physiological index with respect to an exercise load change, and an exercise load control unit that controls an exercise load applied to the exerciser. An exercise load control device, wherein the exercise intensity determination means comprises:
A function of determining an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser by extrapolating a change pattern from the change of the physiological index before the exercise intensity of the exerciser corresponding to the exercise load change reaches an appropriate exercise intensity. Having, the exercise load control means, after giving an exercise load for determining the exercise intensity,
An exercise load control device having a function of changing an exercise load applied to the exerciser to an exercise load having an exercise intensity suitable for the determined exerciser.

The present invention also relates to an exercise machine for giving a controlled exercise load to an exerciser to perform exercise, and a physiological index for obtaining a physiological index indicating a physiological state of the exerciser during the exercise load. Acquisition means, exercise intensity determination means for determining exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser based on the physiological index for changes in exercise load, and exercise load control means for controlling exercise load given to the exerciser. And the exercise intensity determining means, by extrapolating a change pattern after the change of the physiological index before the exercise intensity of the exerciser corresponding to the exercise load change reaches an appropriate exercise intensity, The exercise load control means has a function of determining the exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser, and after the exercise load control means gives the exercise load for determining the exercise intensity, A motion device having a function of changing the exercise load to be exercise intensity that is suitable for the determined exerciser.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a bicycle ergometer according to an embodiment of an exercise equipment including an exercise intensity determination device and an exercise load control device of the present invention. This ergometer includes an electrocardiographic sensor 1 for detecting an electrocardiographic signal,
A preamplifier 2 that amplifies the output signal, a filter 3 that removes noise, an amplifier 4 that amplifies the electrocardiographic signal to a more appropriate level, an A / D converter 5, and a CPU 6 that executes various processes. A key input device 7, a display 8 for displaying exercise intensity, a physical strength level, and the like, and a load device 9 capable of changing a rotational load are provided. CPU6
It has an exercise intensity determination function of determining an appropriate exercise intensity based on a physiological index indicating the physiological state of the subject at the time of exercise load. Here, the physiological index acquisition means includes an electrocardiographic sensor 1, a preamplifier 2, a filter 3, an amplifier 4, an A / D converter 5, and a CPU 6. The exercise intensity determining means includes the CPU 6. Further, the exercise load control means includes a CPU 6 and a load device 9.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the bicycle ergometer. In FIG. 2, the ergometer includes a saddle 11, a handle 12, an operation unit 13 having a key input device 7, a display 8, an alarm (not shown), and a pedal 1.
4, a front leg frame 15 and a rear leg frame 16. The handle 12 is provided with a pair of electrodes 17 for detecting an electrocardiogram as an electrocardiographic sensor.
By grasping 2 with both hands, both hands come into contact with the electrode 17, and an electrocardiographic signal is detected from the hands.

In this ergometer, the subject (exercise person)
Sits on the saddle 11 and depresses the pedal 14,
The movement is performed by rotating. The pedal 14 is loaded so as to have a weight corresponding to the degree of exercise intensity, and when the load is large, a large amount of exercise is naturally required to rotate the pedal 14 a certain number of times. However, such a configuration can be realized by a known means.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the electrocardiographic detection electrode 17 is provided on the handle 12 as an electrocardiographic sensor, but various modifications can be made to the configuration of the physiological index acquisition means provided in the exercise equipment. Is.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a chest belt 41 having a pair of electrodes and a transmitter is attached to the chest of an exerciser M, and a handle 12 is provided with a receiver 42 (corresponding to the operation unit in FIG. 2). Has been. In this case, the electrocardiographic signal detected from the chest of the exerciser M is wirelessly transmitted to the receiving unit 42 for processing. Here, the physiological index acquisition unit includes a pair of electrodes provided on the chest belt 41, a transmission unit, and a reception unit 42.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, + (plus),
-(Minus), G (ground) three electrodes 45, 4
6 and 47 are attached to the chest of the exerciser M, are connected to the circuit section in the main body by a wire 48, and adopt a chest lead type configuration for detecting an electrocardiographic signal. Here, the physiological index acquisition unit is configured to include three electrodes 45, 46, 47 and a wire 48.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 5, a pulse sensor 49 is attached to the earlobe of the exerciser M in place of the electrocardiographic sensor, and the pulse sensor 49 detects the pulse of the exerciser M. Here, the physiological index acquisition means is the pulse sensor 49.
The physiological index is calculated using the pulse detected by the pulse sensor 49.

In the exercise equipment configured as described above, the physiological signal at the time of the exercise load is calculated based on the physiological signal that changes according to the change of the exercise load such as the electrocardiographic signal or the pulse signal detected by the electrocardiographic sensor or the pulse sensor. An appropriate exercise intensity is determined from the change pattern, and the intensity of pedaling changes according to the determined exercise intensity.

The method of determining the exercise intensity in the exercise equipment according to this embodiment will be described below.

First, the heartbeat rate and the fluctuation power of the heartbeat interval are detected during exercise. The heart rate is calculated as follows. That is, the peak of the electrocardiographic signal detected from the electrode 17 (FIG. 2) provided on the handle 12 of the ergometer during the exercise is detected, and the RR interval data (one cycle of the heartbeat) is calculated. For example, the heart rate is calculated from the average value of 5 beats in that interval. Also, the calculation formula for fluctuation power (Power) is

[0032]

[Equation 1] Required by. This is obtained by squaring the difference between the previous cycle and the current cycle, and is referred to as the fluctuation power of the heartbeat interval here. For example, the value of this fluctuation power is calculated as an average value for 30 seconds at 15-second intervals. The optimum exercise level is determined based on the time when this value falls below a predetermined power base value (baseline) and the amount of change every 15 seconds becomes smaller than the predetermined value.

The optimum exercise intensity can also be expressed as a heartbeat value at the convergence point or an exercise load.

An example of determining the optimum exercise intensity is shown in FIG. Figure 6
In, in, based on the fluctuation pattern of fluctuation power, the exercise load at the intersection of the corresponding time and the curve showing the time-exercise load characteristic is obtained as the optimal exercise intensity. In each of the graphs shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents time [min], the vertical axis represents exercise load [W], the middle graph represents heart rate [bpm], and the lower graph represents fluctuation power [ms]. ² ] respectively. The method of determining the convergence point will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flow chart shows a method for determining the optimum exercise intensity of a standard pattern. That is, when the measurement start key of the key input device 7 of FIG. 1 is pressed, the measurement is started. First, the electrocardiographic sensor 1 detects an electrocardiographic signal (ST1), and a calibration operation is performed so that the signal from the electrocardiographic sensor 1 has a certain level (ST2). This calibration operation is performed by adjusting the gain in the amplifier 4 according to the signal from the CPU 6. After the completion of the calibration, the display unit 8 displays "measurement start" (ST3), and the control of the load device 9 is started (ST4). As this control, for example, a Ramp load of 15 [W / min] is applied after warming up for 2 minutes at an initial load value of 15 [W].

Next, the peak value of the electrocardiographic signal is detected, and the fluctuation power is calculated from the equation (1) (ST5).
After the calculation, it is determined whether or not 2 minutes of warming up have passed (ST6). If not, the procedure returns to ST5. If 2 minutes have passed after the warming up, ST6
Is Yes, the power base value is 30 [m
s ² ] (ST7).

Subsequently, the optimum exercise intensity is determined (ST
8). In the fluctuation characteristic of the fluctuation power (change with time of fluctuation power and exercise load) shown in FIG. 8A, the fluctuation power exponentially decreases as the exercise load increases, and then converges. The value at which the fluctuation power converges is known to be 20 [ms ² ] or less from the experimental results obtained so far. Therefore, the power base value is a level before the optimum exercise intensity, for example, 30 [m
s ² ], and an approximate curve is drawn from the data of the time-fluctuation power relationship by the least square method. This approximated curve is extended to a fluctuation power of 30 [ms ² ] or less, and the change in fluctuation power after that is extrapolated (FIG. 8B, left diagram).
The slope of this extrapolated fluctuation power (difference from the previous power value: Power (n-1) -Power (n)) is calculated, and the time when this slope is less than 1 [ms ² ] is the convergence point. Is determined as the optimum exercise intensity (the right diagram in FIG. 8B). At this time,
If the fluctuation power does not converge and the slope of change in the fluctuation power is 1 [ms ² ] or more, the exercise load is further increased (ST9) and the process returns to ST5.

The starting point of the data used for analysis is shown in FIG. 9 (a).
It determines based on four conditions of- (d). FIG. 9 (a)
In each of the graphs (d) to (d), the horizontal axis represents time [second] and the vertical axis represents fluctuation power [ms ² ]. Figure 9
As shown in (a), data after completion of warming up for 2 minutes is used. In this case, 135
It consists of data in seconds. Although the fluctuation power decreases as the exercise intensity increases, there is also an example in which the fluctuation power value tends to increase even after the warming up as shown in FIG. 9B. In this case, slope: Power (n-1) -P
The value of ower (n) becomes negative, but when the fluctuation power increases after decreasing, the total decrease from the minimum point exceeds 100. Is the analysis starting point (FIG. 9C). In addition, FIG.
As shown in (d), even if the fluctuation power does not increase by 100 or more, if the fluctuation power value at the start of the analysis is exceeded, the subsequent decrease start point is set as the analysis start point.

The final point used for analysis is up to the point where the set base value (here, 30 [ms ² ]) or less is reached (FIG. 10A), and within 1 minute (within 4 points) from the analysis start point. If the power is below the base value, the measurement is continued for 1 minute from the analysis start point,
Data up to 4 minutes later (Fig. 10) is used.
(B)). In the graphs shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the horizontal axis represents time [sec] and the vertical axis represents fluctuation power [ms].
² ] is taken.

When the optimal exercise intensity is determined, the load value one minute before the determination of the optimal exercise intensity is calculated in consideration of the delay in the response of the living body to the exercise load, and the exercise load corresponding to the calculated optimal exercise intensity is used for training. The training mode is performed (ST11).

FIG. 11 shows a specific example of the training program for entering the training mode with the optimum exercise intensity. In each graph shown in FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents time [min], the vertical axis represents exercise load [W], the middle graph represents heart rate [bpm], and the lower graph represents fluctuation power [ms]. ² ] respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, after the optimal exercise intensity is determined, the exercise load is gradually increased to the optimal exercise intensity as it is, and an exercise program controlled to maintain the optimal exercise intensity is executed. By using this method, the excessive burden of shifting to training after exercising to an intensity exceeding the optimal exercise intensity, as is done in the conventional exercise intensity determination to training program, is given. No, you can move on to training. As a result, after the optimal exercise intensity is determined, the exercise load can be reduced once, the body can be rested for a while, and then the training program can be performed in a shorter time than the conventional method, and the training program can be smoothly transitioned to.

After that, when the end button is pressed, the load amount is reduced to allow the exerciser to cool down for a certain period of time (for example, 1 minute), and then the exercise is finished.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to determine the exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser in a shorter time, and further, after determining the exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser, do not overload the exerciser when performing subsequent training. You can move to training smoothly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a bicycle ergometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a bicycle ergometer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a bicycle ergometer provided with a physiological signal measuring means having another configuration.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a bicycle ergometer provided with a physiological signal measuring means having another configuration.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a bicycle ergometer equipped with a physiological signal measuring means having another configuration.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a method for obtaining an optimum exercise intensity from a variation pattern of fluctuation power.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining an optimal exercise intensity with the bicycle ergometer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram specifically illustrating a method for obtaining an optimum exercise intensity from fluctuation characteristics of fluctuation power.

9A to 9D are diagrams illustrating a method of determining a start point of data used for analysis.

10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method of determining a final point of data used for analysis.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining changes in exercise load in a training program.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ECG sensor 2 preamplifier 3 filters 4 amplifier 5 A / D converter 6 CPU 7 key input device 8 display 9 load device 10 bicycle ergometer 17 electrodes 41 chest belt 42 Receiver 45,46,47 electrodes 48 wired 49 pulse sensor

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A method for obtaining a physiological index indicating a physiological state of an exerciser during exercise load, and determining an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser based on the physiological index for a change in exercise load, comprising: An exercise intensity determination method for determining an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser by extrapolating a change pattern after the change of the physiological index before the exercise intensity of the exerciser reaches an appropriate exercise intensity. 2. The physiological index is a value indicating the magnitude of fluctuation of the heartbeat fluctuation interval obtained from an electrocardiographic signal.
The method for determining exercise intensity according to. 3. The exercise intensity determination method according to claim 2, wherein the physiological index is fluctuation power of a heartbeat interval. 4. The exercise intensity determination method according to claim 2, wherein the physiological index is power in a high frequency region of a heartbeat variability spectrum. 5. A method for controlling an exercise load for controlling an exercise load applied to an exerciser, comprising: acquiring a physiological index indicating a physiological state of the exerciser during an exercise load and responding to the change in the exercise load. The exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser is determined by extrapolating the change pattern thereafter from the change in the physiological index before the exercise intensity reaches an appropriate exercise intensity, and the exercise load given to the exerciser is A method of controlling an exercise load, wherein the exercise intensity of an exerciser is changed to an exercise load having an exercise intensity suitable for the determined exerciser. 6. A method for controlling an exercise load, wherein an exercise load that gradually increases in order to determine an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser. 7. A physiological index acquisition means for acquiring a physiological index indicating a physiological state of an exerciser during exercise load, and an exercise intensity for determining an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser based on the physiological index with respect to a change in exercise load. An exercise intensity determination device comprising a determination means, wherein the exercise intensity determination means extrapolates a change pattern thereafter from a change in the physiological index before the exercise intensity of the exerciser reaches an appropriate exercise intensity. An exercise intensity determination device having a function of determining an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser. 8. The physiological index is a value indicating the magnitude of fluctuation of the heartbeat fluctuation interval obtained from the electrocardiographic signal.
The exercise intensity determination device according to. 9. The exercise intensity determination device according to claim 8, wherein the physiological index is fluctuation power of a heartbeat interval. 10. The exercise intensity determination device according to claim 8, wherein the physiological index is power in a high frequency region of a heartbeat variability spectrum. 11. The exercise intensity determination device according to claim 7, wherein the physiological index acquisition unit is a unit that noninvasively acquires the physiological index from the exerciser. 12. An exercise load control device for controlling an exercise load applied to an exerciser, comprising: physiological index acquisition means for acquiring a physiological index indicating a physiological state of the exerciser during exercise load; An exercise load control device comprising: an exercise intensity determination unit that determines an exercise intensity that determines an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser based on the physiological index; and an exercise load control unit that controls an exercise load applied to the exerciser. Wherein the exercise intensity determination means extrapolates a subsequent change pattern from a change in the physiological index before the exercise intensity of the exerciser corresponding to a change in exercise load reaches an appropriate exercise intensity. The exercise load control means has a function of determining the exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser, and the exercise load control means applies the exercise load for determining the exercise intensity and then gives the exercise load to the exerciser. To
An exercise load control device having a function of changing to an exercise load having an exercise intensity suitable for the determined exerciser. 13. An exercise device for giving exercise to a exercising person under controlled exercise load, comprising: a physiological index acquisition means for acquiring a physiological index indicating a physiological state of the exerciser at the time of exercise load; An exercise intensity determining unit that determines an exercise intensity that determines an exercise intensity suitable for the exerciser based on the physiological index with respect to an exercise load change; and an exercise load control unit that controls an exercise load applied to the exerciser, The exercise intensity determination means is suitable for the exerciser by extrapolating a change pattern after the change of the physiological index before the exercise intensity of the exerciser corresponding to the exercise load change reaches an appropriate exercise intensity. Having a function of determining the exercise intensity, the exercise load control means, after giving an exercise load for determining the exercise intensity, the exercise load to be given to the exerciser,
An exercise device having a function of changing to an exercise load having an exercise intensity suitable for the determined exerciser.